Before installing iHub, create a user account with the privileges to access the relevant files and directories. Like other Linux processes, the processes that perform BIRT iHub tasks run under a specific account.

Actuate recommends creating a dedicated user account for installing and running iHub. Having a dedicated user account isolates iHub-specific issues and events on a machine, making it easier to administer the environment. If you exercise the same control over the operating system account for BIRT iHub that your site exercises for other system administrator and root accounts, you can maintain the same level of security.

Installation of the iHub under the root account is not recommended since the PostgreSQL server must start and be maintained under an unprivileged user ID to prevent system security compromise. If installed under the root account, the default installation will be unable to set up the PostgreSQL schema and Actuate sample Encyclopedia.